Wrench.



No. 667,743. Patented Feb. I2, |901.

T. E. SMYTHE.

WRENCH.

(Application led Hay 4, 1900.)

(No Model.)

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THOMAS E. SMYTHE, OF GALION, OHIO.

WRENCH.

. STE -EFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 667,743. datedFebruary 12, 1901.

Application filed May 4, 1900.

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS E. SMYTHE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Galion, in thecounty of Crawford and State of Ohio,haveinvented a new and useful Wrench, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to wrenches, and more particularly to that class ofadjustable wrenches which are known as pipewrenches; and it has for itsobject to produce a device of this kind which is simple and strong inconstruction and easily adjusted and applied to the object to bemanipulated.

With this object in view my invention consists in the improvedconstruction and novel arrangement of parts of a wrench, as will behereinafter more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference-numeralsindicate corresponding parts in each of the views in which they occur,Figure l is a perspective view of my improved wrench. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 5 is a transversesectional view. Fig. 4 is a perspective detail view of the handle.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, l indicates the handle ofmy improved wrench, which is preferably formed from metal and may be ofany suitable size and length. The inner end or head 2 of the handle isenlarged and recessed longitudinally, as shown at 3, and also at thelower side, as shown at 4, the upper surface of the handle to the rearof the longitudinal recess 3 being provided with forwardly-extendingteeth or shoulders 5.

Arranged to slide longitudinally within the recess 3 is a jaw 6, theforward end of which is preferably slightly curved and provided withtransversely-arranged teeth 7, and the rear end is provided with aslight downward extension 8, which is adapted to engage with the teethor shoulders 5 and prevent the rearward movement of said jaw. Ifdesired, a suitable spring 9 may be secured to the upper rear edge ofthe handle in position for its free end to engage with the rear end ofthe jaw 6 and hold its tooth or extension 8 in engagement with theshoulders 5.

Pivotally secured in the forward end of the head is a pivoted jaw l0,the outer end of which is formed into an L shape, which ex- Serial. No.15.496. (No model.)

tends up in front of the forward end of the sliding jaw 6 and ispreferably provided upon its inner face with teeth or notches 11. Aspring 12 is seated within the recess 4 in position to have one endengage with the handle and the free end to engage with the rear face ofthe jaw l0 and normally hold it up with its toothed portion in frontofthe toothed portion of the sliding jaw. If desired, an enlarged pin 18may be secured within the recess 4., upon which the spring l2 is seated,the spring being formed from a coiled piece of wire with the coils ofatril'le larger diameter than the diameter of the pin.

In using my improved wrench the sliding jaw is drawn back far enough topermit of the object to be manipulated being inserted between thecoacting faces of said jaws. After the wrench has been placed upon theobject the sliding jaw is forced up against the object by pressure uponits rear end, the eX- tension 8 being inclined forwardly, so as toreadily slip over the inclined teeth or shoulders 5. As soon as itengages with the object between the jaws the end of the handle is drawnaround in 'that direction, which will cause the forward end of the jawto engage with the object and setit-s teeth therein and also crowd thearticle over against the teeth of the other jaw, which will thus preventthe wrench from slipping upon the object. After the object'has been thusgripped between the jaws the continued pressure upon the handle willcause the rotation of the objectiin the ordinary manner.

By making the outer jaw L-shaped and pivoting its inner end adjacent tothe sliding` jaw it can be swung backward or outward for the purpose ofplacing the wrench in position, if desired, and it will also permit ofthe jaws being readily separated and releasing their grip upon thewrench by simply moving the handle backward or in the opposite directionfrom which it has been turned to screw the parts together. The pressureof the spring upon the rear face of the pivoted jaw will normally holdit always in its forward position or will return it there after it hasbeen forced out of vit by releasing the wrench, as above described.

Another advantage arising from the pivotal connection between the outerjaw and TOO the handle is that the wrench can be operated as aratchetwrench, for the reason that the jaws will automatically engagewith and release themselves from the pipe as the outer end of the handleis moved back and forth bythe operator. By pivoting the jaw to theforward end of the handle my wrench can be used in corners or placeswhere it would be impossible to insert and manipulate a wrench having arigid jaw. By making the sliding jaw extend entirely through the slottedhead the pressure upon the forward or curved end will cause the rear endto be forced into engagement with the teeth upon the handle, for thereason that the central portion of the jaw will engage with the head asa fuleruin. Owing to the construction and cooperation of the parts of mywrench it will not crush the pipe being operated upon, and especially'the Smaller pipes.

It is evident thatA my wrench can be utilized for turning nuts 0r otherangular objects as readily as it can be applied to the manipulation ofpipes or round objects. It is also evident lthat variations can be madein the form and construction of my improved wrench, and I reserve theright to make such changes and alterations as will come within v thescope of my invention.

the rear end is adapted to engage with the teeth of the handle to therear of the head, substantially as described.

2. In a wrench, the combination, with a handle, the head of which isslotted longitudinally and a portion of one side adjacent to the slot isprovided with inclined teeth, of a jaw pivotally secured in the forwardend of said slottedportion, the free end of which is L-shaped, a slidingjaw through the slotted head, the forward end of which is movable towardand from the free end of the other jaw and the rear end is provided witha tooth or projection4 for engaging with the teeth of the handle and aspring upon the head in position to engage with the rear end of thesliding jaw and force it into engagement with the handle, substantiallyas described.

In a wrench, the combination, with a handle, the head of which isslotted longitudinally and the handle adjacent thereto is provided withforwardly-extending teeth, of a jaw pivotally secured within the slottedportion of the handle, the free end of which is bent at an angle andprovided on its inner face with teeth, a spring secured within theslotted portion of the head, one end of which engages with said jaw andnormally forces it forward, a longitudinally-movable jaw within theslotted portion, the under side of the rear end of which is providedwith a projection for engaging with the teeth of the handle, and aspring secured to the head in position to engage with the rear end ofsaid sliding jaw and normally hold its projection in engagement with theteeth of the handle, substantially as described.

THOMAS E. SMYTI-IE.

Witnesses:

C. D. WORCESTER, JOSEPH SFITTLE.

